What is the best way to remove mud balls from chooks feet?
Mud balls on the ends of the toes can cause the toes to constrict and actually drop off. It is not advisable to leave them on for any amount of time. I use a small pair of pliers with which to remove them. Under no circumstances just try to pull the balls off. You will succeed in ripping the toenail off as well. Carefully use the pliers to squeeze the offending matter and gently ease it off the toe. Make sure you only squeeze the mud ball at the end of the toenail because you don’t want to crush the toe itself. After a little practice, you will work out the right pressure to use and it will be an easy task. If your birds are getting mud balls often, then the ground must be wet and sour. See the section on the next page (Muddy, messy chook house and yard? How to get and keep a clean shed and pen) on how to minimise this by getting your yard as dry and clean as possible.
